Sarah Everard, 33, went missing in south London last Wednesday and a serving Met police officer remains in custody after being detained on suspicion of murder and kidnap.
The case has sparked debate about women’s safety, and many victims have spoken out about their experience of sexual harassment and violence.
However, Davina took to Twitter today [Friday, March 12] to defend men, saying that abduction and murder were rare.
She tweeted: “Female abduction / murder is extremely rare. Yes we should all be vigilant when out alone. But this level of fear-mongering isn’t healthy. And men’s mental health is an issue as well. Calling all men out as dangerous is bad for our sons, brothers and partners.”
Since sharing the tweet, which has amassed more than 22,000 likes and nearly 3,000 replies, many have criticised the presenter.
Loose Women panellist Kaye Adams tweeted: “But Davina, it is not about accusing all men, it is about asking all men to be part of the solution. And please let me say, I am not trying to a***y it’s just clearly an important conversation we all need to have.”
British historian Dr Fern Riddell added: “It is an issue for all men, because all men and women share the responsibility of stopping male violence.
“This is the moment to stop excusing it and start taking on the responsibility of ending it. Men’s mental health is not too fragile to share in that.”
Meanwhile, a proposed vigil organised in honour of Ms Everard who vanished on March 3 after walking home from a friend’s house in Clapham Common, has been cancelled.
The Reclaim The Streets group were planning to meet at 6pm on Saturday at Clapham Common but have claimed the police ‘reversed’ their decision to allow the event to take place because of Covid rules. The group says they will appeal to the High Court.
